Charge Forward Coaching

In this powerful episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, host and Certified Mental Toughness Coach James Blasco sits down with Vern Biccum, President of Iridia Medical, for a conversation that bridges high performance, healthcare, and human resilience. Together, they unpack the 4 C's of Mental Toughness — Control, Commitment, Challenge, and Confidence — and explore how these four traits do...

This special episode was recorded live at the 2026 USA Today High School Sports Awards, the premier event recognizing the top high school athletes in Volusia and Flagler Counties, Florida. The USA Today High School Sports Awards is one of the largest and most respected student athlete recognition programs in the country, celebrating excellence, leadership, sportsmanship, and the dedication it take...

In this episode, I sit down with Colonel Steve Luxion, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), a 34-year veteran with more than 2,500 flight hours, 700 combat hours, and a career that spans the F 111 Aardvark, the Navy’s F 14 Tomcat, the EA 6B Prowler, and the early MQ 1B Predator program. Steve has led at every level — from squadrons to NATO’s first Aerospace Center of Excellence and brings a rare combination of...

For 10 years the USA Today High School Sports Awards has been celebrating the best student athletes across the country and right here in Volusia and Flagler Counties the Daytona Beach edition has become one of the most anticipated events of the year. This episode we sit down with Chris Vinel, sports editor with USA Today and the Daytona Beach News-Journal, to talk about what makes this event so sp...

What does it take to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days? In this episode, endurance athlete Matt Parker takes us inside his incredible journey through the 2026 World Marathon Challenge — one of the most grueling tests of physical and mental endurance on the planet. Matt shares the mental toughness strategies that carried him through not just the miles, but the exhaustion of traveling massiv...

In this episode, Coach Joe Giddens, Mainland High School’s (Daytona Beach, Fl) head basketball coach, former multi-sport All-Star, professional football player, and lifelong friend of basketball legend Vince Carter, joins us for an honest and energizing conversation about what it really takes to build mental toughness in today’s athletes. Coach Giddens opens up about his journey from growing up in...

In this powerful episode of Charge Forward, James Blasco sits down with Mike Reheuser , a former U.S. Marine, accomplished Department of Defense executive, high-stakes litigator, and now a sought-after executive coach who specializes in developing resilient, high-performance leaders. Mike’s career spans some of the most demanding arenas imaginable. After serving in the Marines, he transitioned to...

In Part 2 of this powerful two‑part conversation, James Blasco and Doug Strycharczyk go even deeper into the practical side of Mental Toughness and the MTQ framework. Building on the foundations explored in Part 1, Doug shifts the focus toward real‑world application — how individuals, teams, and leaders can strengthen the 4Cs and use them to perform more effectively under pressure. Doug shares ins...

In this first installment of a two-part conversation, James Blasco sits down with Doug Strycharczyk, CEO & Managing Director of AQR International and one of the world’s leading authorities on mental toughness. Doug is the co-author of Developing Mental Toughness and a pioneer in the research behind the MTQ framework, which has been used globally across sport, business, education, and the milit...

In this episode, James Blasco sits down with Marabeth Hardwick of D1 Training for a powerful conversation about what it truly takes to develop athletes — not just physically, but mentally. Together, they explore the role of mental toughness in sports and life, why commitment matters more than talent, and how young athletes can build the habits that lead to long-term success. Marabeth shares insigh...

In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, host James Blasco speaks with Meagan Endozo, director of Flight Gymnastics in Daytona Beach, Florida, about the mental toughness required in gymnastics. They discuss the journey of young athletes, the importance of focus and discipline, and how to build mental resilience. Meagan shares insights on handling injuries, the difference between pra...

In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, host James Blasco speaks with Michelle Panovich, a founding partner of Mid-America Asset Management, and a highly respected leader in commercial real estate. They discuss the importance of mental toughness, particularly the four C’s: commitment, challenge, control, and confidence. Michelle shares her journey into real estate, the pressures of...

In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, host James Blasco discusses the concept of mental toughness, focusing on the 90 second rule as a method for managing emotional surges and stress. He outlines three key steps to regain control after experiencing a setback, emphasizing the importance of deep breathing, recognizing emotions, and focusing on what can be controlled to improve outc...

In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, host James Blasco sits down with Igor Mancebo, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and owner of Spartan Academy in Palm Coast, Florida. They explore Brazilian Jiu Jitsu through the lens of mental toughness, discipline, and personal growth. Igor shares his journey from Brazil to the U.S., how he fell in love with Jiu Jitsu, and the commitment, ro...

n this festive episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, host James Blasco puts a fun holiday twist on mental toughness by using Santa Claus as the ultimate example of the Four C’s. James breaks down control, commitment, confidence, and challenge through Santa’s yearly marathon of delivering joy around the world. From Santa’s legendary emotional control under pressure, to his unwavering comm...

In this solo episode, James Blasco shines a spotlight on an often‑overlooked dimension of confidence: interpersonal confidence. While most discussions of mental toughness focus on self‑belief and inner resilience, Blasco emphasizes that true strength also comes from how we engage with others. Whether in sports, business, or everyday life, interpersonal confidence is the key to effective communicat...

In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, host James Blasco interviews Jason Immekus, a minor league pitching coach with the Cincinnati Reds. They discuss the mindset of great pitchers, the importance of mental toughness, and how routines and rituals contribute to performance. Jason shares insights on coaching young athletes, preparing for big moments, and the sacrifices required to...

In this episode of Charge Forward Coaching, host James Blasco speaks with Dr. Jarrod Spencer, a leading sports psychologist, about the critical role of emotional energy and mental toughness in performance. They discuss the importance of understanding emotional energy, the necessity of rest and recovery, and the shift in mental health awareness post-pandemic. Dr. Spencer emphasizes that both athlet...

In this episode of Charge Forward Coaching, host James Blasco and guest Eric Konovalov, Founder of The Goal Guide, discuss the intricate relationship between sales and sports, emphasizing the importance of mindset, emotional management, and routines in achieving success. They explore how personal experiences shape both an athlete and a salesperson's approach, the significance of confidence and res...

In this conversation, Mark Warbuton, a distinguished soccer coach and sporting director, discusses the importance of focusing on player development over winning in youth sports. He emphasizes the need for quality coaching and challenges to build mental toughness in young athletes. Mark shares insights into build two professional teams with Sporting Jax and on the potential of American soccer and t...

In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, host James Blasco sits down with veteran sports journalist Ken Willis, whose decades-long career includes writing for USA Today, Yahoo Sports, Golfweek, and the Daytona Beach News-Journal. With a front-row seat to some of the most intense moments in sports, Ken offers a rare perspective on mental toughness—not just from the athletes who live...

Unlock the mental edge in tennis with insights from elite coach Milena Volkova. Learn how top tennis players develop unshakeable focus and resilience under pressure. In this episode of Charge Forward Coaching, host James Blasco is joined by renowned tennis coach Milena Volkova to unpack the crucial role of mental toughness in tennis. From junior development to professional play, Milena shares insi...

Unpack the power of true confidence in sports and competition with James Blasco. In this episode, James explores how genuine self-belief is built through experience, feedback, and recovery—not just positive self-talk. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or driven professional, you'll discover practical strategies to boost your mental game and perform under pressure. James introduces a unique confide...

In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, host James Blasco tackles the "pressure gap"—a common challenge faced by athletes as they transition from confident practice sessions to anxiety-filled game days. Blasco, a Certified Mental Toughness and Resilience Coach and Certified Neuroscience Coach, unpacks the psychology behind this phenomenon and offers powerful strategies to help athl...

Deep dive into the world of sports nutrition with Collier Madaleno, a renowned expert in athletic performance nutrition and the Sales and Service Executive at Red Card Athletics, a fueling and meal management platform designed specifically for college athletic departments and professional sports teams. From fueling strategies that sharpen mental focus to the latest trends in supplements, this conv...